World's biggest winemaker on the move in N.Y.

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 27, 2007 at 5:38 AM

The world’s largest winemaker will set up its corporate headquarters in a new building across from Eastview Mall.

Julie Sherwood

Constellation Brands Inc. plans to move into a new corporate headquarters by 2009, moving the offices for some 150 of its employees to a new 120,000-square-foot building in the High Point development under construction across from Eastview Mall.

Constellation, the biggest winemaker in the world — founded as Canandaigua Industries in 1945 by the late Marvin Sands — would be moving from its current headquarters a few miles down Route 96, from the Woodcliff Office Park in Perinton, Monroe County.

“We are extremely happy to have a world-class corporate headquarters of this caliber in Victor,” said Town Supervisor Leslie Bamann.

On Monday, the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency approved an incentive package that gives Constellation a 10-year sales-tax abatement on certain items such as wireless technology and telecommunications, security systems, video conference equipment and furnishings.

In addition, High Point developer Fred Rainaldi Sr., who would lease to Constellation, would receive a 10-year payment-in-lieu of property tax deal that would reduce tax payments on the new building. No property taxes would be paid on the building for the first five years, with payments gradually resuming over the following five years.

“We feel strongly about keeping Constellation in the region,” said Michael Manikowski, executive director of the county Industrial Development Agency/Office of Economic Development. “It’s a great win for the region to have this $4 billion company here.”

“We put our best foot forward as a region,” added Manikowski, and having Constellation’s headquarters here is “a great statement.”

Constellation plans to add 28 employees over three years, to its existing 154 working at headquarters.

The new, three-story building, which could break ground next spring, will be located on what is now vacant land on the High Point property above Route 96, overlooking the Bristol Hills and city skylight. The entrance to the building will be from Route 96.

It will have an underground parking garage with about 100 parking spaces.

Rainaldi said today High Point has been in the planning stages for seven years. He said he is pleased that Constellation — “this quality of tenant” — appreciates the “labor of love” that has gone into perfecting the project. “We look forward to a long relationship” with Constellation, he said.

High Point includes the new Olive Garden restaurant and the Starbucks Coffee cafe in the Bonesteel cobblestone house. When it’s complete, it will also be home to office space as well as 72 townhomes and various retailers.